Ospreys crack the code to make final eight

Jan 21 2008 by Andy Howell, Western Mail

Bourgoin 21-28 Ospreys

IT’S taken five years to reach the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, but the Ospreys have finally cracked the code.

Having taken Gloucester apart to give themselves a chance of going through for the first time since their formation in 2003, this was a more measured performance to register a rare Welsh win in France.

But the Ospreys were still hanging on in injury time after Lee Byrne was sin-binned for a crude off-the-ball challenge on Mathieu Nicolas.

A vital steal by skipper Ryan Jones allowed them to clear and a Gavin Henson interception resulted in replacement Jonathan Thomas crossing to put them 14 points up and seemingly in the last eight.

But Bourgoin, making a mockery of their low standing in Pool 2, scored through replacement winger Florian Denos, converted by Morgan Parra, to send Ospreys nerves jangling again.

Thankfully, the final whistle of English referee Wayne Barnes sounded and celebrations could begin among a strong contingent of supporters who had made the trek to this town between Lyon and the French Alps.

Their next destination on the European express will be closer to home – Watford in April to take on a resurgent Saracens.

Despite the strides Saracens have made this season, it could have been much worse and the encounter is eminently winnable for the star-studded Ospreys.

The front-five laid the platform in Bourgoin, but it was Kiwi forwards, Marty Holah and Filo Tiatia, who provided the power and energy.

No 8 Tiatia might have been official man of the match, but my favourite was Holah. He wasn’t only superb at the breakdown, he drove powerfully and has that lovely habit of taking the right options.

The Ospreys’ back division isn’t the most creative in the world, but they had their moments, utilising space for three well-worked tries.

Henson was useful at centre while James Hook generally called the right shots and kicked beautifully, whether out of hand or at goal.

The Wales fly-half landed three penalties and two conversions for a vital 13-point haul as they finished runners-up to Gloucester in the group.

The semi-final draw takes place tomorrow in Cardiff and, with the final at the Millennium Stadium in May, the Ospreys should fear nobody in a wide-open tournament with champions London Wasps, Leicester, Biarritz, Scarlets and Leinster already out.

Once they settled down in France, they had an edge on the opposition until going walkabout in the second half, sitting on their lead rather than building on it.

Bourgoin had taken a third-minute lead through the boot of Sebastien Laloo after Holah was penalised for killing the ball.

Hook’s restart was right on the button for his forwards to win the ball and a penalty, which the fly-half landed from 38 metres, levelled the scores.

But the penalty feast continued with the Ospreys failing to roll away at the breakdown, Laloo putting over an easy kick to put Bourgoin back in front.

Holah collided heavily with home full-back Anthony Forest as he attempted to charge down a clearance but neither man suffered lasting damage.

A skilful grubber-kick from Henson put the Ospreys into scoring territory, but despite some quick handling by Justin Marshall and Byrne, Tiatia was kept out.

Holah provided the thrust in a sustained Ospreys attack which brought an 18th-minute penalty for Hook to tie matters for a second time.

Bourgoin had an opportunity to go ahead again, following a high tackle by Tiatia on opposite number Wessel Jooste, but Laloo fired the penalty attempt wide.

Former Wales and Scarlets lock Chris Wyatt showed his athleticism by entering the Bourgoin line at pace before giving a perfect pass to Nicolas.

But the Ospreys cover cut him off and Marshall expertly cleared to set up the position for them to take the lead in the 26th minute.

A gem of a pass from Hook put Tiatia into a gap and the New Zealand international rampaged 30 metres before providing quick ball at the following ruck deep in home territory.

Adam Jones grafted before they utilised an overlap, Shane Williams touching down unopposed after accepting a long pass from Hook.

The difficult conversion was put over with ease by Hook and the Ospreys were in front for the first time 13-6 to send their travelling band of fans into song.

They had more cause to celebrate in the 31st minute after a line-out drive nearly took them over.

New Wales captain Ryan Jones sniped before the ball was whipped right by Hook, Henson and Sonny Parker for Byrne to make an arcing run for the score.

Hook missed the conversion after slipping as he went to strike the ball, but they were 18-6 up and firmly in the driving seat.

Their blitz defence was snuffing out Bourgoin’s attempts to penetrate with Hook, Henson and Parker flying up in midfield and Holah being attracted to the ball like a magnet.

Having adapted to the demands of English referee Barnes at the breakdown and stopped giving away penalties, they were in command as the second half began.

Lovely play by Holah, Tiatia and Adam Jones created space, but Holah was dubiously penalised for obstruction after Parker had sprinted through a huge hole in an undermanned defence to touch down.

Marshall twice had kicks charged down to put the Ospreys on the backfoot. That sparked the Bourgoin pack into life, two forward passes costing them tries out wide after it had laid the foundations by sucking in opposition defenders.

They got their reward in the 55th minute when prop Karena Wihongi was driven over from a close-range line-out.

Laloo was off-target with the conversion, but they were just seven points behind and had their tails up.

Wyatt was doing his best to whip home fans into a frenzy, running along the touchline and clapping with the crowd.

But the Ospreys weathered the storm and Hook eased nerves with a 70th-minute penalty to put them 10 points clear.

But they had become sloppy with a half-hearted challenge from Henson allowing Bourgoin to make significant yardage.

A penalty from outside-half Parra gave the French outfit a glimmer of a draw and their hopes grew when Byrne was sin-binned.

Bourgoin banged the penalty into the corner and won the line-out, but Ryan Jones came up with a vital turnover.

Then Henson intercepted and powered his way forward, before Thomas was worked over in the corner.

Job done, and roll on Vicarage Road and Saracens.